Chips fly: The pace of new orders...

CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Chips fly: The pace of new orders quickened for the North American semiconductor equipment industry in January, which posted a book-to-bill ratio of 1.10, the industry's trade association said. Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International said $110 worth of orders was received for each $100 worth of products shipped by makers of computer chip equipment, who are seeing the end of a long cyclical downturn. The ratio of new bookings to billings stood at 0.97 in December, O.84 in November and 0.57 in August.